Seat for reclining chair

ABSTRACT

A reclining aircraft chair or the like having an articulatable seat portion providing full leg support for maximum comfort is described. The chairback pivots about an axis substantially in line with the hip joints of a person occupying the chair, and when the chairback pivots from an erect position to a reclined position the rear part of the seat portion drops to better fit a person&#39;&#39;s contour. The front edge of the seat does not move and the seat articulates approximately about its middle to provide proper cradling of the chair occupant. To provide such motion, the seat portion is divided into a U-shaped seat pan, pivotally connected to the chairback so as to lower therewith, and a leg frame pivotally connected to the forward part of the seat pan and also to the fixed front of the seat. Resilient straps between the back of the pan and the fixed seat front are interwoven with transverse straps between sides of the seat pan and between sides of the leg frame. The resilient straps across the leg frame provide augmented leg support for optimum passenger comfort in both the erect and reclined positions.

United States Patent.

Karlsen 51 Feb.8,1972

[54] SEAT FOR RECLINING CHAIR [72] Inventor: Asbjorn Karlsen, Pacific Palisades, Calif.

[73] Assignee: llardman Aerospace, Los Angeles, Calif.

[22] Filed: June 19, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 44,920

[52] US. Cl. ..297/3l6, 297/68 [51] Int. Cl ..A47c 1/02 [58] Field ofSearch ..297/83,300, 301,291,311,

297/313, 312, 316, 320, 321, 340-342, DIG. 10, 68

445,758 4/1936 GreatBritain ..297/30l 863,227 3/1961 GreatBritain ..297/3l1 Primary Examiner-James C. Mitchell Attorney-Christie, Parker & Hale [57] ABSTRACT A reclining aircraft chair or the like having an articulatable seat portion providing full leg support for maximum comfort is described. The chairback pivots about an axis substantially in line with the hip joints of a person occupying the chair, and when the chairback pivots from an erect position to a reclined position the rear part of the seat portion drops to better fit a persons contour. The front edge of the seat does not move and the seat articulates approximately about its middle to provide proper cradling of the chair occupant. To provide such motion, the seat portion is divided into a U-shaped seat pan, pivotally connected to the chairback so as to lower therewith, and a leg frame pivotally connected to the forward part of the seat pan and also to the fixed front of the seat. Resilient straps between the back of the pan and the fixed seat front are interwoven with transverse straps between sides of the seat pan and between sides of the leg frame. The resilient straps across the leg frame provide augmented leg support for optimum passenger comfort in both the erect and reclined positions.

12 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEB FEB 8 I972 SHEET 2 0F 2 SEAT FOR RECLINING CHAIR BACKGROUND Great attention is paid to the comfort of airline passengers and many complex chairs have been designed to accommodate the passengers on the transcontinental and transoceanic flights commonly involved in todays large airplanes. The chair arrangement is of considerable importance since the passenger may remain in his seat for several hours at a stretch and an uncomfortable chair can make a long-range flight very tiring.

Commonly, the chairs employed are movable between an erect position and a reclined position according to the occupants choice. Such seat articulation may require comfort compromises in order to have a comfortable seat in both the erect and reclined positions. Recently there have been developed chairs in which the seat portion articulates; however, it has been found that there is slight leg discomfort in some such seats when the occupant remains in a reclined position for a substantial time. It is, therefore, desirable to provide an articulatable chair, such as for aircraft, providing both erect and reclined positions with minimized fatigue.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thus, in practice of this invention according to a presently preferred embodiment there is provided a chair having a back portion articulatable between an erect position and a reclined position and a seat portion having a fixed seat front member, a leg frame extending across the seat and pivoted about an axis along the seat front member, a seat pan extending across the seat and pivotally connected between the chairback and the leg frame, and resilient supporting means connected across both the leg frame and the seat pan for supporting the seat occupants hips and thighs in a manner that promotes occupant comfort.

DRAWINGS These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective a typical aircraft chair adjustable between erect and reclined positions;

FIG. 2 illustrates in plan view operating mechanisms of the chair of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 illustrates in side view a portion of the operating mechanisms of the chair of FIG. 1 to show the mode of articulation.

Throughout the drawings like numerals refer to like parts.

DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective a chair mounted on a pedestal 11 such as may be employed in an aircraft or the like. The external accouterments of the chair, such as the pedestal, armrests, detailed shape, tray supports, ashtrays, and the like such as may be provided as optional arrangements in chairs are of no particular concern in the practice of this invention. The chair 10 comprises a back portion 12 that is movable between an erect position shown in solid an a reclined position shown in phantom. As the back moves to the reclined position, the seat portion 13 of the chair lowers and bends somewhat in order to better cradle the seat occupant.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate in top and side views, respectively, the principal portions of the operating mechanisms of the chair of FIG. 1. In these views the cushions, various reinforcing members, and similar mechanical details are not shown in order to avoid obscuring the operating principles. The provision of such incidental details are conventional and readily provided by one skilled in the art.

The basic structural support of the chair is provided by a chair frame 15 mounted on the pedestal 11. The chair frame is til a generally U-shaped trough open at the front and back and extending generally continuously beneath the chair and upwardly at the sides in a pair of armrests 16. The general structure of the frame is shown only in outline in FIG. 3. The principal structural element of the chairback is in the general form of a broad U-shaped back member 17 extending across the chair at the rear and having forwardly extending wings 18 at each side. The back member 17 is mounted on a pair of brackets 19 connected to the two wings 18. The brackets 19 are, in turn, connected to the armrests 16 at back pivots 21 fixed in location on the armrests. The back is free to pivot about the pivots 21 between an erect position as shown in solid in FIG. 3, and a reclined position as seen in phantom in that view (only the center portion of the back member 17 is shown in phantom in FIG. 3 with the wings l8 and brackets 19 deleted from the drawing to enhance clarity).

The back pivots 21 are approximately in line with the hip joints of an average chair occupant when in the erect chair position so that chair articulation occurs in the most comfortable possible manner and with least movement of the occupant in the chair for minimized rumpling of clothing. An additional bracket 22 is rigidly connected to the seat back bracket 19 and a spring 23 (shown schematically) interconnects the bracket 22 and a connection point 24 on the chair frame for biasing the chairback toward the erect position. It will be apparent that other operating mechanisms such as, for example, mechanical stops, dash pots, release mechanisms and the like can be incorporated in the operating mechanism for the chairback as may be desired by one skilled in the art. In addition, in the illustrated arrangement clearance is provided between the armrest 16 and the back member 17 so that the entire back can be pivoted forward from the erect position when the chair is not occupied.

A tab 26 connected to the back member 17 supports a pivot 27 to which is connected a seat pan 28. The seat pan 28 is a generally U-shaped, somewhat dished, sheet metal member having a bight 29 extending across the rear portion of the seat and a pair of forwardly extending leg portions 31 at each side. The bight portion 29 of the seat pan is generally L-shaped in vertical cross section, being relatively level in its forward por' tion and curving to slope upwardly and rearwardly at its rearward portion. Similarly, the leg portions 31are approximately L-shaped in cross section, each being relatively level near its inner edge and curving to slope upwardly adjacent its outer edge. At the comers of the U-shaped pan 28 between the leg portions 31 and bight portion 29 are upwardly and slightly outwardly extending tabs 32 that serve to connect the pan 28 to the pivots 27 on the back.

A leg frame 35 is provided as a portion of the seat of the chair forwardly of the seat pan 28. The leg frame 35 is formed of a pair of side links 36 at either side of the seat interconnected by a forward cross brace 37 and a rearward cross brace 38 so that these side links and cross braces collectively form a generally rectangular open frame. The side links 36 are connected at their forward ends to forward pivots 39 that are fixed in place to a fixed portion of the chair frame 15. Thus, the chair frame includes a fixed, curved seat front member 41 extending transversely across the chair between the two armrests. The fixed in position forward pivots 39 are connected to the seat front member 41 on the under side thereof as by a conventional bracket, as close as possible to the top surface so that the axis of pivoting is near the occupant support portions of the seat. The rear portion of each of the leg frame links 36 is connected to a pivot 42 which is, in turn, connected to the forward end of the forwardly extending leg portions 31 of the seat pan 28.

Extending fore and aft in the seat portion of the chair are a plurality of slightly resilient straps 46, each connected at its forward end to the fixed seat from member 41 by a U-shaped wire clip 47 hooked through holes in the seat front member. Similarly, each of the straps 46 is connected at its rear end to the flat forward portion of the bight 29 of the seat pan 28 by a clip 48. Extending transversely of the chair in the seat portion are a pair of slightly resilient straps 49 interconnecting the opweight distributed by the hips as compared with the thighs which test above the leg frame portion of the seat. The cross straps 52 provide substantial support for the thigh of the chair occupant for optimum comfort. 1n the absence of cross straps across the leg frame 35, the fore and aft straps 46 have been found to provide inadequate thigh support for optimum comfort.

Operation of the chair is illustrated in solid and in phantom in the side view of FIG. 3, with the relative position of the parts in the erect position being illustrated in solid, and the relative position of the parts in the reclined position being illustrated in phantom. When the chair is in its erect position, the chairback member 17 is more nearly vertical and the pivot 27 interconnecting the seat pan 28 and the chairback is relatively high. This brings the pivot 42 at the interconnection of the leg frame 35 and seat pan 28 into a relatively high position so that the transverse straps 49 and 52 on the leg frame and seat pan, respectively, are all in a substantially common plane aligned with a portion of the curved upper surface of the fixed seat front member 41. The fore and aft straps 46, which are interwoven with the transverse straps 49 and 52, cooperate with the cross straps to provide support for the body of its seat occupant in a comfortable erect position.

When the chairback 17 is pivoted to a reclined position about the fixed pivot 21, as seen in phantom in FIG. 3, the pivot 27 between the back member 17 and seat pan 28 also travels in an arcuate path around the back pivot 21. Since the rear seat pan pivot 27 is remote from the back pivot 21, it travels in a substantially vertically downward direction so that the rear part of the seat pan in lowered. At the same time the leg frame 35 pivots about the fixed forward pivot 39 so that the intermediate pivot 42 between the rear of the leg frame and the forward legs 31 of the seat pan is also lowered. Not only does the rear portion of the leg frame go down as the seat back is reclined, but also the leg frame 35 and seat pan 28 articulate somewhat relative to each other so that the transversely extending straps 49 and 52 are. no longer in a single plane. in this manner, the body supporting portion of the seat formed by the interwoven resilient straps bends slightly to better cradle the chair occupant in the reclined position. The cross straps 52 on the leg frame remain aligned with a portion of the curved upper surface of the seat front member 41 so that there is no sharp discontinuity in leg support. The cross straps 52 continue to provide support for the thighs of the seat occupant when in the reclined position, thereby adding to his comfort.

Although but one preferred embodiment of chair has been described and illustrated, particularly in relation to an aircraft seat, it will be apparent that a similar adjustable chair can be embodied in automobiles, trains, or other vehicles, or in stationary chairs as may be desired. Many other modifications and variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art, and it is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is: l. A chair articulatable between an erect position and a reclined position comprising:

a chair frame; a chairback on the chair frame; means for pivoting the chairback about an axis substantially in line with the hip joints of a person occupying the chair, between the erect position wherein the chairback is relatively higher and more nearly vertical, and the reclined position wherein the chair back is relatively lower and less nearly vertical; a fixed seat front member on the chair frame;

a movable leg frame extending across the seat aft of the seat front member;

means for pivoting the front of the leg frame about an axis transverse to the seat and substantially along the seat front member;

a seat pan extending generally tranversely to the seat between the leg frame and the chairback; means for pivotally connecting the rear portion of the seat pan to the chairback;

means for pivotally connecting the forward portion of the seat pan to the rearward portion of the leg frame;

resilient body support means extending between the seat front member and a rear portion of the seat pan;

resilient hip support means extending transversely of the seat between sides of the seat pan for providing support for a chair occupants hips; and resilient leg support means extending transversely of the seat between sides of the leg frame for supporting a chair occupant's thighs.

2. A chair as defined in claim 1 wherein the resilient support means each comprise a plurality of [straps interwoven with other of the straps.

3. A chair as defined in claim 1 wherein:

the seat pan comprises a generally U-shaped member having a bight portion extending tranversely of the seat and a forwardly extending pair of leg portions pivotally connected to the leg frame;

the resilient body support means comprises a plurality of straps extending between the bight of the U-shaped pan and the seat front member; and

the hip support means comprises a plurality of straps interconnecting the sides of the U-shaped-pan and interwoven with the body support straps.

4. A chair as defined in claim 3 wherein the leg support means comprises a plurality of straps interconnecting the sides of the leg frame and interwoven with the body support straps.

5. A chair as defined'in claim 4 wherein the means for pivotally connecting the seat pan to the chairback pivots about an axis aft of the means for pivoting the chairback and, when the chair is in the erect position, is at a point relatively higher than the means for pivoting the chairback.

6. A chair as, defined in'claim 5 wherein the means for pivotally connecting the rear portion of the seat pan to'the chairback moves substantially vertically downwardly as the chair is articulated between the erect position and the reclined position.

7. A chair as defined in claim 6 wherein:

the seat front member has a top surface curved from front to back;

the leg frame comprises a pair of side links pivotally connected at their forward ends to the fixed seat front member and pivotally connected at their rearward ends to the seat pan, and cross brace means extending transversely of the seat between the side links; and wherein the leg support means comprises a plurality of straps interconnecting the side links substantially in a plane aligned with a portion of the curved top surface of the seat front member when the chair is in the erect position and in the reclined position.

8. A chair as defined in claim 1 wherein the seat front member has a top surface curved from front to back and wherein the leg support means remain substantially aligned with a portion of the curved top surface when the chair is in the erect position and in the reclined position.

9. A chair as defined in claim 8 wherein the leg support means comprises a plurality of straps extending between the sides of the leg frame.

10. A chair as defined in claim 1 wherein the leg frame comprises:

a pair of side links pivotally connected at their forward ends 9 to the fixed seat front member and pivotally connected at their rearward ends to the seat pan; and

cross brace means extending transversely of the seat between the side links; and wherein 6 the leg support means comprises a plurality of straps interleg frame member the fixed forward portion of the seat;

connecting the side links. means for pivotally connecting the rearward portion of the 11. In a chair articulatable between an erect position and a l frame i h a Seat portion f h h i d reclined position and including a chair frame, a chairback on resilient leg support means extending transversely f the the chair frame pivotable between an erect position wherein 5 Seat between id f h le f ame for supporting a chair the chairback is relatively higher and more nearly vertical and occupamvs thighs a reclined position wherein the chairback is relatively lower n In a chair as defined in claim 11 an improved combina and less nearly vertical, means for maintaining the forward portion of the chair seat in a substantially fixed position, means for lowering and articulating the chair seat portion as the back articulates from the erect position to the reclined position, the improvement comprising:

a leg frame member;

means for pivotally connecting the forward portion of the tion wherein the resilient leg support means comprises a plurality of slightly resilient straps extending between sides of the leg frame and substantially in a plane that remains aligned with the fixed forward portion of the chair seat in both the erect and reclined positions.

22 ;;3? UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFKCATE ()F CORRECTION Patent No. 3,640,570 'Dated February 8, 1972 lnvent fl Asbiorn Karlsen It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Title page: change filing date "June 19, 1970" to --June 10, 1970--;

Col. 3, line 38, change "in" to --is--; Col. 6, line 1, insert after "member" -.-to--.

si ned and sealed this 13th day of June 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHEB, JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A chair articulatable between an erect position and a reclined position comprising: a chair frame; a chairback on the chair frame; means for pivoting the chairback about an axis substantially in line with the hip joints of a person occupying the chair, between the erect position wherein the chairback is relatively higher and more nearly vertical, and the reclined position wherein the chair back is relatively lower and less nearly vertical; a fixed seat front member on the chair frame; a movable leg frame extending across the seat aft of the seat front member; means for pivoting the front of the leg frame about an axis transverse to the seat and substantially along the seat front member; a seat pan extending generally tranversely to the seat between the leg frame and the chairback; means for pivotally connecting the rear portion of the seat pan to the chairback; means for pivotally connecting the forward portion of the seat pan to the rearward portion of the leg frame; resilient body support means extending between the seat front member and a rear portion of the seat pan; resilient hip support means extending transversely of the seat between sides of the seat pan for providing support for a chair occupant''s hips; and resilient leg support means extending transversely of the seat between sides of the leg frame for supporting a chair occupant''s thighs.
 2. A chair as defined in claim 1 wherein the resilient support means each comprise a plurality of straps interwoven with other of the straps.
 3. A chair as defined in claim 1 wherein: the seat pan comprises a generally U-shaped member having a bight portion extending tranversely of the seat and a forwardly extending pair of leg portions pivotally connected to the leg frame; the resilient body support means comprises a plurality of straps extending between the bight of the U-shaped pan and the seat front member; and the hip support means comprises a plurality of straps interconnecting the sides of the U-shaped pan and interwoven with the body support straps.
 4. A chair as defined in claim 3 wherein the leg support means comprises a plurality of straps interconnecting the sides of the leg frame and interwoven with the body support straps.
 5. A chair as defined in claim 4 wherein the means for pivotally connecting the seat pan to the chairback pivots about an axis aft of the means for pivoting the chairback and, when the chair is in the erect position, is at a point relatively higher than the means for pivoting the chairback.
 6. A chair as defined in claim 5 wherein the meaNs for pivotally connecting the rear portion of the seat pan to the chairback moves substantially vertically downwardly as the chair is articulated between the erect position and the reclined position.
 7. A chair as defined in claim 6 wherein: the seat front member has a top surface curved from front to back; the leg frame comprises a pair of side links pivotally connected at their forward ends to the fixed seat front member and pivotally connected at their rearward ends to the seat pan, and cross brace means extending transversely of the seat between the side links; and wherein the leg support means comprises a plurality of straps interconnecting the side links substantially in a plane aligned with a portion of the curved top surface of the seat front member when the chair is in the erect position and in the reclined position.
 8. A chair as defined in claim 1 wherein the seat front member has a top surface curved from front to back and wherein the leg support means remain substantially aligned with a portion of the curved top surface when the chair is in the erect position and in the reclined position.
 9. A chair as defined in claim 8 wherein the leg support means comprises a plurality of straps extending between the sides of the leg frame.
 10. A chair as defined in claim 1 wherein the leg frame comprises: a pair of side links pivotally connected at their forward ends to the fixed seat front member and pivotally connected at their rearward ends to the seat pan; and cross brace means extending transversely of the seat between the side links; and wherein the leg support means comprises a plurality of straps interconnecting the side links.
 11. In a chair articulatable between an erect position and a reclined position and including a chair frame, a chairback on the chair frame pivotable between an erect position wherein the chairback is relatively higher and more nearly vertical and a reclined position wherein the chairback is relatively lower and less nearly vertical, means for maintaining the forward portion of the chair seat in a substantially fixed position, means for lowering and articulating the chair seat portion as the back articulates from the erect position to the reclined position, the improvement comprising: a leg frame member; means for pivotally connecting the forward portion of the leg frame member to the fixed forward portion of the seat; means for pivotally connecting the rearward portion of the leg frame with a seat portion of the chair; and resilient leg support means extending transversely of the seat between sides of the leg frame for supporting a chair occupant''s thighs.
 12. In a chair as defined in claim 11 an improved combination wherein the resilient leg support means comprises a plurality of slightly resilient straps extending between sides of the leg frame and substantially in a plane that remains aligned with the fixed forward portion of the chair seat in both the erect and reclined positions. 